The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1887-02-25

ing around like sg arsenal. and the
floor strewn with boards, hatchets,
axes and nails. Never shall I forget
those days of fear and dread, not
knowing whether another day would
find US living.
One night we had quite a fright. All
the men had assembled but one. He
had store, and. thinking the danger
over, decided TO stay in his own house.
He was the owner of a rifle, and
thought he could defend himself. About
ten o'clock we were all startled by ter
rife screams, that seemed to draw
nearer. Every one sprang to his feet,
all murmuring with one breath ''the
Indians" The children and I were
hurried upstairs. A loud knocking at
the door caused all to hesitate. The
knocking was repeated. My husband
cautiously opened the door, and discov-
cred our friend, who informed them
that some Winnebago Indians had
called him from his bed, wishing to
buy something. AS they had always
been friendly, he thought he would
open to them. He no sooner unbolted
the door than they rushed in, and,
reaching for his gun, he didn't stop to
dispute with them, but started for our
house, giving yell at every jump. On
investigation next day the men con-
cluded it was just case of burglary,
and afterWard the Indians were COM
PEELED by the agent to return the rifle.
We could hear occasionally from diff
ferent sources that the Indians were
killing, burning houses and carrying
| off women, but, fortunately for us, they
never reached our place. Gradually
as the weeks wore on the rumors
ceased and the people began to return
to their homes, and things began to
look bright once more. Yet little of
| the old fear hung about US. To show
an instance, we went fishing one day,
and while intently watching our lines
sharp crack caused us both to look
up. Then another crack, and husband
began to gather up his fishing tackle,
| saying: 81 think the safest place for
us is at home" I happened just then
to let my eyes light on some water
lilies near us, when one of the buds
opened and we heard the same report
''Why," said I, 81 think it's the water
lilies" Sure enough, as each bud burst
in bloom the same report was heard,
but it had taken away all our desire for
fishing that day.
At another time we were frightened
by the appearance of a strange band of
Indians. They proved to be party of
Indians with a paper stating that they
were a harmless band who had permits
sion to leave the reservation and visit
with their dances. They were given an
empty house, and all went to see them
that evening, myself included. l kept
thinking all the time that perhaps it
was a ruse to get the people together
and massacre them. The idea became
so strongly impressed on my mind that
| I stole out before the first dance was
finished, glad to get back to the bed
side of my sleeping little ones. My
husband laughed when / told him of
my fears, and said they would have had
to kill us with their dead snakes and
musical instruments, as they had no
| other weapons with them.
We had now in the town a hotel,
clearinghouse, and several stores, and
there seemed every prospect of success,
but unfortunately the Indian excite
ment had put stop to emigration,
and particularly large train of some
eight or ten families who were on their
way to join us, on learning the danger,
changed their route. This, with the
indifference shown by the other party
owning half the town, discouraged my
husband, and, after about three and a
half years spent in the most delightful
country in the world, we decided to
return to our old home. I hear occa-
sionally from there. Our little town
never grew very large, but the lake
that then only knew canoe now has
it's steamboats,, and some places that
contained but one home when we left
are now large cities, and have the
finest institutions in the State.
There are gentlemen now living in
Chicago, whom have never met since
they partook of our hospitality, who
will readily recognize this picture of
our cabin home in the woods. CHI
cago Herald.